Plantain Herb Benefits or Uses for Skin, Hair and Health
The plantain mentioned here is not the green skinned cousin of bananas. This is a weed or herb. You find it in temperate climates. More than 200 species of this herb are found on earth. It is used traditionally for curing sunburns and eczema. This herb also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. You get the benefits from the leaves of this herb. As far back as in the 1500s, the leaf extract of this herb has been used to cure flu, fever and various other health conditions. The leaf extract is full of tannins, aucubin and mucilage. It is said to be a good expectorant and is also known to have anti-irritant properties. It offers lots of benefits for your health, skin and hair.
Benefits of Plantain for Skin:
Just topical application of creams and lotions are not enough to get a beautiful skin. Your skin has to look healthy and beautiful from inside. Plantain has the ability to make your skin healthy from inside.
Aids in quicker healing of wounds:
Plantain leaf contains an ingredient called allantoin, which is known for its germicidal and antibacterial properties. This makes it great for treating wounds and healing them faster. Apply the extract of this leaf topically over the wounds and this will help in killing the germs. This way it makes healing faster and triggers the synthesis of skin cells.
Cures insect bites:
The extract taken for the leaves of this herb contain few elements that have the power to get you relief from the itching, inflammation and soreness that you experience with insect bites and bee stings. This way it can sooth your skin and heal your skin faster.
Lowers the chances of scarring:
Plantain contains cayenne and comfrey and this helps in the process of skin regeneration. This in turn helps in reducing the chances of scarring on the skin caused due to wounds and blemishes.
Natural relief for sunburns:
The fresh juice that is extracted from the plantain leaves is good for treating sunburns. Apply this juice on the affected areas. You can also make a poultice by crushing this leaf with some cold water and apply this on the affected areas. The anti-inflammatory properties of this leaf help in soothing the rashes and burning while the antibacterial properties of this leaf help in preventing itching.
Offers a blemish free skin:
Because of the anti-scarring properties of this herb, it is great for getting rid of the blemishes and providing a clear and glowing skin. Applying this regularly on the skin can remove pimples and acne, thereby providing you a blemish free skin.
Treats acne and rosacea:
You can treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea by applying the herbal extract of plantain topically. It has a cooling effect on the skin. Along with reduction in inflammation, it also helps in preventing the area from any infections. It can also prevent scaring by promoting quick healing and regeneration of the skin cells.
Benefits of Plantain for Hair:
As a hair rinse:
Make hair rinse with a string concoction made with the leaf of this herb along with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and some water. This is great for hair. This herb also has the ability to tone down the pungent aroma of vinegar.
Helps in reducing dandruff:
Plantain has been used for treating dandruff and flaky skin for a long time. This is because of the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of this herb. It protects your scalp from infections and provides you relief from dandruff.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Plantain:
Beneficial for overweight and obese people:
This herb has diuretic and detoxifying properties. It can also help in reducing appetite. So it is good for reducing hunger pangs to a great extent. Having about 3 gm of this herb with 250 ml of water half an hour before each meal can help in losing weight effectively. Have it three times a day.
Cures respiratory tract disorders:
Plantain has anti-inflammatory properties that allow it to soothe the inflamed respiratory tracts and bronchial passages when you suffer from cold, bronchitis and flu. Take 1 tsp of the extract three times a day. Having a cup of plantain tea can soothe the mucous membrane and provide you relief from cough and cold.
Eases tough periods:
Plantain has antispasmodic properties and this makes it beneficial for treating menstrual cramps during painful periods. You can also use this to reduce heavy bleeding during periods.
Good for babies:
Take some almond oil and beeswax and mix them with the extract of plantain leaves. This is good for treating diaper dash as well as mosquito bites in babies. You can roll a cube of ice in plantain leaf and massage the skin of the baby with it. This keeps the skin away from inflammations and rashes.
Natural diuretic properties:
Plantain is a good remedy for the inflammatory conditions that affect the urinary bladder and the kidney. It is a natural diuretic and demulcent. So, it enables frequent urination and helps in removing toxins from the kidneys and bladders. It can also provide you relief form edema conditions in various health issues. Bed wetting in babies can also be treated with plantain.
Prevents bleeding:
Plantain is beneficial for treating minor bleedings because of the styptic properties of this herb. Just make a paste of this leaf by chewing it and apply this paste on the bleeding part.
Remedy for tuberculosis and syphilis:
You can use this herb externally as well as internally for curing tuberculosis and syphilis.
Safeguards cardiovascular health:
According to studies made, this herb can lower the levels of triglycerides and keep them within normal level. It also helps in lowering the LDL or bad cholesterol and increasing HDL or the good cholesterol. When all these elements are kept under control, you are less at a risk of suffering from various cardiovascular problems.
